Friday, December 29, 2017

New Year’s Eve, the end of 2017 and the start of 2018 is cause for celebration, reflection and rejuvenation. This is also a time for one last party and one more chance for time together with friends and family for 2017. At Northstar California and Squaw Valley this year, there are some fun events to check out on December 31st from face painting for the kids to swanky dance parties that will last late into the night.

Northstar California will be hosting the annual New Year’s Eve Fire & Ice Celebrations. The music starts at 12pm with a DJ on the main stage at the ice rink. Free face painting is offered from 12: 30 – 3:30 for everyone. The ice rink will be rocking and the fire pits will be warming the scene. At 7pm, the main event starts with “The Who Show”. With note for note musical renditions, authentic costumes and vintage instruments, The Who Show recreates a Who concert experience from the 1970’s. This is sure to get the crowd up and moving till 9pm. Then it’s time for the ultimate firework show over the center of the Village. Look up and enjoy the winter sparkle New Year’s fireworks show. To continue the party, head to Club 6330’ for an all night bash or to the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe where the New Year’s Eve celebration will continue with music, dancing and cocktails with a special champagne bar open until 2am.

Squaw Valley has a variety of options for the night, choose the perfect party for you.

In the OHouse there will be a New Year’s Eve Family Celebration with kids games, live music, kids disco, an East Cost New Year’s Eve ball drop and toast in the Plaza Bar at 9pm with special food menus and drinks for mom and dad. As festivities go on inside, pop your head outside for the glowstick parade down Exhibition Run at 6:30pm and the fireworks show at 7pm with a pop, pop, boom over the KT chair.

High Fives Non-Profit Foundation will be hosting the annual, not to be missed, Squaw Valley Prom. This is a full energy night starting at 8pm. With 2 works-renowned DJ Dojoh, DJ SPINBAD and Headphones & Horses, the dancing will not slow down all night. The theme this year the Great Gatsby and your best 1920’s attire. Come to impress and dance your way into 2018!

The Resort at Squaw Creek is set out to put on the swankiest New Year’s Eve party in Tahoe, the All That Glitters New Year’s Kaleidoscope Party. Enjoy dinner at 7pm and the real party will kick off at 9pm. Everywhere you look, something exciting is happening for the night, performers, music, aerial shows and of course champagne. The kids can enjoy their own all our party with Kids Night Out New Year’s Eve Bash with games, crafts, DJ and desert station for the younger ones and a Teen’s New Year’s Eve Lounge for the older ones where they can eat pizza, sip mocktails, dance to the music and more. This is a new event that is sure to catch some attention.

Thursday, December 21, 2017

With a Ho Ho Ho, Christmas is just around the corner. Santa
is out and about at the Tahoe resorts just before his big night on December
24th. Santa will be riding trains at Squaw Valley, eating breakfast at
Northstar and can even be seen out on the slopes. Keep an eye out for the
man in the red suit, he will be full of holiday cheer and available for last
minute present requests from the kiddos. Check out Santa’s schedule below
to be sure to catch him in action.

Friday, December 15, 2017

The unparalleled service and festive atmosphere at the
Ritz-Carlton are a treat to savor this winter where many holiday events are
taking place. If you are not staying at the hotel and want to visit for the day
or night, park in the Village at Northstar and ride the gondola or enjoy the
beautiful drive up Highlands View Road to the Ritz-Carlton’s porte-cochere and
have the valet park your car.

Here are some signature events that you won't want to miss:

Crafts with Mrs. Claus

Kids can have some more time with Mr. & Mrs. Clause as

December 23 – December 24

9am – 4pm

Ritz Kids

Photos with Mr. & Mrs. Claus

December 23rd

5pm – 7pm

Lower Lobby

Story Time with Mrs. Claus

December 23rd

7pm – 8pm

Living Room

Stars & S'mores

Enjoy fireside astronomy that includes a science-based
conversation about the cosmos, poetry reading, and a telescopic viewing
followed by s'mores around the outdoor fire pit.

Thursday, December 7, 2017

It’s the time of year for giving. All over the world and even in
this small mountain town, there are many families that go hungry every day.
Project MANA is here to help elevate the 1 out of 7 community members who
are hungry in the North Lake Tahoe/Truckee area.

Project MANA was founded in 1989 by a local Sierra Nevada College
student. Now it has grown to serve nearly 3,000 individuals. The
mission is simple, reduce the incidence of hunger and its detrimental effects
upon individuals, families and the community. Project MANA is taking this
further, they have developed programs designed to alleviate the causes of
hunger and promote nutrition through education and awareness.

By partnering with local grocery stores, vendors and food banks,
they are able to redirect perishable food that would otherwise go in the trash.
This food is then delivered to those in need. Nonperishable food is
donated from all sources from individuals, grocery stores and food banks.
The last component is simply purchasing food to keep up with the demand
and ensure a nutritionally balanced food package.

When it is time to distribute the food, many generous volunteers
come in to the picture to sort food, deliver weekly drops, host a food drive or
help in the office with administrative work. It takes a lot to keep this
operation in motion and it is thanks to the dedicated people behind this
organization, the less fortunate in our area have somewhere to turn for
support. Their work was honored this year at the Truckee Chamber of
Commerce awards with 2017 non-profit organization of the year.

Click here to learn more about Project MANA, one of the local
non-profits that I am proud to donate to.

Thursday, November 30, 2017

The Village at Northstar is transforming into a winter holiday
wonderland. The tree is up, the ice skating rink is rocking, the shops are full
of winter gifts and the restaurants are cooking up delicious meals every day.

This week is the first of four magical Friday nights in the
Northstar Village. Noel Nights has been a Northstar tradition for years.
The Village will be lively with sleigh bells ringing as the one horse open
sleigh takes families and lovebirds for a ride around the Village. The
illuminated ice rink is filled with people of all ages and abilities enjoying a
favorite winter ice skating pastime while listening to music. Surrounding
the ice rink are open fire pits with s’mores available for roasting and cabana
bars open for a hot cocoa, hot toddies or a "Snuggler".
Carolers will be singing holiday tunes as they weave through the
excitement. Be on the lookout for the elves who roam the village in
anticipation of Mr. Claus's grand appearance. Be sure to look in all the
nooks and crannies of the village for face painting, gingerbread house
decorating and ornament making. The best part of the night is when Santa
arrives and kids of all ages rush to sit on his lap to tell him their Christmas
wish.

This Friday is a special night, not only because it is the first
day of December and the countdown to Christmas but also the Northstar Tree
Lighting Ceremony. Gather around at 7pm for a group countdown to light
the beautiful 26 foot Christmas tree at the foot of the skating rink.